Mahashivaratri Procession at Bhavnath Fair (2015)

• • Gujarat, Junagadh •
Mahashivaratri Procession at Bhavnath Fair 2015 in Junagadh, Gujarat, India

17th February 2015 was Mahashivaratri. Bhavnath Fair is held on this day at Girnar Taleti and Mahashivaratri procession during night hours when hundreds of Naga baba take a dip in holy Mrigi Kund.

On 16th February we reached Rajkot by train because train tickets till Junagadh were not available. After refreshing ourselves in the Waiting Room at Rajkot Railway Station we continued our journey to Junagadh – two hours journey by another train in the general compartment. Train fare – Rs. 25/- per person.

Junagadh railway station to Girnar Taleti is approx. 4 km distance. Auto is available outside the station and charges Rs.10/15 per person.

On Mahashivaratri day during morning hours, we visited Bhavnath Mahadev temple to offer prayers and walk around Bhavnath Taleti to watch a fair where Naga Babas are present inside their makeshift tent. A Naga baba lying on thorny branches and another Naga baba laden with 11,00 rudraksha beads and another Naga baba standing on one leg for the past 7 years and many more… There was a huge rush of Naga baba devotees during the fair even in day time.

During the night hours at 8 pm we reached Taleti again but this time there was a police barricade at the main Taleti entrance so we have to walk approx. 3 km to reach the nearby Bhavnath Mahadev temple to watch the Maharashivaratri procession.

It was crowded. A local said 6 lacs devotees, from various cities, towns, and villages visited to attend the fair. I was able to pass via a few thousand people only to capture photos of the Mahashivaratri procession. Further to the Bhavnath temple visit was impossible because of devotees, procession, and crowds in huge huge numbers watching. Anyway, I was happy at least I visited the fair during the day and night time – wish fulfilled. Because of the short trip days, I was unable to climb Girnar mountain but yes, the wish is – maybe during Girnar yatra after the Diwali festival I will try to visit again.

The weather was somewhat warm even in the month of February in Junagadh. Auto service is very good and even during late-night hours to return to city autos were available. One should attend a fair at least once.

Bhavnath fair rewinds memory of when I visited Kumbh Mela in Allahabad in the year 2013.

Gujarati Traditional Thali at Geeta Lodge

• • Gujarat, Junagadh •
Gujarati Traditional Thali at Geeta Lodge Near Railway Station, Junagadh, Gujarat, India

I was traveling from Rajkot to Junagadh by train in a general class compartment. Before the train reached Junagadh, I inquired with a local traveler – Do you know any good eating places in Junagadh?

Geeta Lodge almost opposite the railway station is one of the best places to eat in Junagadh – the answer.

We followed the advice, and soon we visited Geeta Lodge for lunch.

Rs. 110/- unlimited thali and Rs. 20 for a sweet dish.

True. It is surely one of the best restaurants in Junagadh serving thali since 1938.

Don’t forget to read food quotes written on the walls. It talks about the importance of food, the cook, and more…

– I respect anyone who gives me food
– A recipe has no soul. We as the cook must bring soul to the recipe.

Geeta Lodge Timings

11 am – 3 pm / 7 pm – 10 pm

Wednesday is half-day till 2:30 pm

Overland Truck Tours is Home Away From Home

• • Ludhiana, Punjab • Tags:
Capt Suresh Sharma and The Overland Truck at Kila Raipur, Punjab, India

MRF 79th Kila Raipur Sports Festival 2015 was from 29th January till 1st February. During the visit and walking around the stadium area, I saw a customized truck parked nearby fields. I walked nearer to know what actually it is – something related to nomad travel. – I guess. I too had a similar dream since years but this is what I am watching in real. A middle-aged handsome gentleman was sitting next to the truck with a friend preparing tea. He invited us for tea. Upon the request to know more about the  customized truck below is what he said:

I am Captain Suresh ex-army officer (who served the army for 6 years) from Panchkula near Chandigarh. I was lucky to meet the right kind of people (during the fifth year of service) who were working on herpetology – the study of snakes and reptiles. I took leave and joined them, and it worked. It was like their project was mine and mine was theirs. I was running a project to teach people about snakes and their bites. I do not want to run an NGO. It was my duty to give back something to society and nature because whatever I am it is because of nature and society. Then a thought who will fund my project? Getting funds is a challenge in India. And I started self-funding by giving lectures. Yes, if you wish bigger impact you need an external source such as corporate support. So in short it is a self-funded project.

To have my own freedom and self-funding I started tourism because I love traveling and I can handle this type of machine – Eicher 2010. Only the chassis is shorter because of mountain travel.

The total cost of the vehicle is in lacs after customization. 8 people can sit inside. There is a tent on top of the van which comes out and 4 people can sleep under it.

I question – who drives the van?

He said – He only.

And a helper?

Currently, there is no helper.

And he introduced me to Dr. Desai who is from Mumbai and joined him on his overland truck tours a few days back. He is also a photographer and is on the 3rd trip because the caravan trip is the 3rd trip only. A few times wife joined but due to her busy schedule, she is at home.

I am traveling for the past 25 years. I was having my first caravan in the year 2000 which was also customized out of Tempo Traveler. Then I thought of having something which helps to get self-funding and I have freedom too because I am a photographer, and wildlife expert, especially for snakes and travel. So a total of three subjects I know.

Another question – How do you convince people for overland truck tours?

If you make a good product, you don’t have to convince people. Your product tells about you – He said.

Do you have a website?

Yes – I do, and I am very active on the internet too. I conduct planned tours. Dr. Desai recently joined one such tour for 4 days from Chandigarh to Kila Raipur and back. The next trip is 3 days Hola Mohalla and the next is Teerthan Valley > Mcleodganj and all – 10 days trip.

If in winter I am traveling it will be for example: Chandigarh > Hanumangarh > Churu > Tal Chappar > Sambhar Lake > Jaipur one trip then from Jaipur will take another trip so Jaipur > Tal Chappar > Pushkar And then another tour Pushkar > Bikaner > Kheechan > Jaisalmer > Jodhpur. Another group Jaisalmer > Barmer > Churu like that. By that time it will be summer, and I will be back home.

Tea was ready. Thank you – said I. Tasty it was.

Continue talking.

I have two toilets in the field which I made via a machine that will dig a hole in the field and a tent over it and a folded seat inside to sit for the toilet. I believe the spare tyre of the vehicle should be the best tyre.

How was the sleep last night? – I question Dr. Desai.

The sleep was very cozy inside the van. It is a home away from home. Even during overland truck tours, we don’t have to stop for food anywhere. We make tea, breakfast, lunch, and dinner ourselves. It is fun to tour together and make to eat food together.

I can feed 50 people on board – Captain Suresh said.

Very interesting project. I wish you the best of best wishes. And I walk towards the overland truck to have an inside look.

Bus Service for Kila Raipur from ISBT, Ludhiana

• • Ludhiana, Punjab • Tags:
Amar Shaheed Sukhdev Interstate Bus Terminal in Ludhiana, Punjab, India

I reached Amar Shaheed Sukhdev Interstate bus terminal, Ludhiana at 11:30 am from Ajitgarh (Mohali) – approx. two hours journey but the question was – How to reach Kila Raipur from ISBT, Ludhiana?

Upon the query – bus for Kila Raipur I was told to walk a little approx. 50 meters to enter the local bus stand which is also part of this terminal to get a bus for Kila Raipur. At pillar no. 9 at 12 Noon hours, the bus for Kila Raipur arrived, and we continued our journey.

At 12:05 the bus started its journey and at 1:15 pm we reached Kila Raipur. Total journey hours for Kila Raipur from Ludhiana are approx. one hour and bus fare – Rs. 18 per person. Kila Raipur’s distance from Ludhiana bus terminal is approx. 18-20 km. A comfortable journey it was and picturesque as bus travel via various villages.

In short, if you are arriving from Chandigarh/Mohali and visiting Kila Raipur get another bus from the Ludhiana Interstate bus terminal.